Statement from Shannon Watts, Founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, as Trial Begins Against the Killer of Jordan Davis

INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The trial of Michael Dunn, who shot and killed Jordan Davis in November 2012 in a dispute over loud music at a Jacksonville, Fla., gas station, began today. Dunn is expected to invoke Florida's Stand Your Ground law in his defense – the same law used to exonerate George Zimmerman for killing Trayvon Martin last year. Jordan's mother, Lucia McBath, is a national spokesperson for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. As the trial begins, Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, released the following statement:

"Moms want justice for Jordan, and for the nearly 10,000 children who are killed by guns every year. Jordan's mother, Lucia McBath, has turned her grief into activism and we're proud to stand with her. Together, we will stop Stand Your Ground laws and the 'shoot first' mentality these laws promote. Jordan died after a dispute over loud music because Michael Dunn had easy access to a gun and felt within his rights to fire nine shots into a car full of unarmed teenagers. The impact of Stand Your Ground is real and devastating. I hope that justice is served in this trial and that lawmakers act quickly to rescind these dangerous laws."

About Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America

Much like Mothers Against Drunk Driving was created to change laws regarding drunk driving, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America was created to build support for common-sense gun reforms. The nonpartisan grassroots movement of American mothers is demanding new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our children and families. In just one year, the organization has more than 130,000 members with a chapter in every state in the country. The group recently announced it is joining forces with Mayors Against Illegal Guns, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country. For more information or to get involved visit www.momsdemandaction.org. Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/MomsDemandAction or on Twitter @MomsDemand